Still on the first spot in the men’s basketball rankings and the recent 1^st runner-up finish in last week’s cheerdance competition, UST seems to be dominating UAAP Season 78 and in times like these, the tiger population is growling at the top of their lungs, proving to everyone that we are certainly one great crowd. The black-gold-black-white blood is pulsing through our veins. UAAP season calls for a lot of screaming and throat-wearing moments and as future Speech Language Pathologists, we care for you and your voice. Now this is a 3-step guide in surviving UAAP season screaming like a pro.

               Hydrate. Nothing is better for your throat than water. Make sure to drink six to eight glasses a day to keep yourself away from sore throats and losing your voice. Your body has its own way of telling you it needs hydration. Never suppress it. Some drinks can be too cold or too hot, just chug something that’s room temperature. During UAAP events, always spare money for water or better yet, bring your own.

               Breathe. It’s hard not to go along the campus cheers but it will be harder once you lose your voice. Breathing is like a vocal rest for your throat. You can always pause for a minute and breathe and drink water any time. Tons of tigers will fill you in the cheering. Every tiger deserves some rest.

               Alternatives. We all know how catchy university cheers can be and we can’t help but show our school spirit but sometimes, we damage our voices by excessive screaming and shouting. There are still other ways to express how proud you are as a Thomasian. You can go all-out yellow or bring a whistle during events so you can participate in being the best crowd ever.

               Cheering for our teams is one way of motivating our players and letting them feel our love and support. As Thomasians, it is but natural of us to be enthusiastic and competitive. We always make it a point that every growl echoes in the arena. This article is not discouraging you to cheer but is a reminder that if our voice can resonate through domes, maybe we can take care of it more so Go USTe! can be more than just a cheer but an anthem that will persist the tests of time – and hoarse voices plus sore throats.